


1 Day Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo Tour
The Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo Tour is a perfect escape for travelers who want to experience Rwanda’s natural beauty, serenity, and cultural richness in a single day. Located near the foothills of the Virunga Volcanoes, these two lakes are surrounded by rolling hills, small islands, and picturesque villages, offering breathtaking scenery and peaceful moments away from the busy city. For nature lovers, photographers, and those seeking authentic cultural encounters, this trip offers a refreshing experience.
The tour begins with a scenic drive from Kigali or Musanze, leading you into Rwanda’s countryside where the lakes are beautifully framed by the Virunga Volcanoes. Along the way, you’ll witness stunning views of farmlands, banana plantations, and local communities that showcase Rwanda’s vibrant rural life. At the lakes, guests enjoy activities such as boat rides, birdwatching, nature walks, and visits to nearby villages. With the tranquil atmosphere and stunning landscapes, the Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo are a highlight of Rwanda’s hidden treasures.
This one-day experience is ideal for travelers who are in Musanze after gorilla trekking or anyone looking to combine cultural tours with natural exploration. Whether you want to relax by the lakeside, capture the breathtaking views of the Virunga mountains reflected in the water, or interact with local fishermen and farmers, this itinerary provides a memorable glimpse into Rwanda’s beauty. For those with limited time, the Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo Tour is one of the best ways to discover Rwanda’s landscape and cultural charm in a single day.
07:00 AM – Pickup from Kigali or Musanze
Meet your driver-guide from Rwanda Safaris Gorilla Trekking at your hotel. Begin your journey in a comfortable private vehicle heading towards the northern province of Rwanda. The scenic drive to the Twin Lakes takes about 2.5–3 hours from Kigali, or just 30 minutes from Musanze.
09:30 AM – Arrival at Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo
Arrive at the lakeside, where you’ll be welcomed by the peaceful setting of the twin lakes surrounded by rolling hills and volcanic landscapes. Take in the fresh air and enjoy the first glimpse of Rwanda’s hidden beauty.
10:00 AM – Boat Ride on the Lakes
Take a relaxing boat ride across Lake Burera and Lake Ruhondo. The boat trip offers stunning views of the Virunga Volcanoes and allows you to spot water birds such as herons, kingfishers, and cormorants. You may also visit some of the small islands scattered across the lakes.
12:30 PM – Picnic Lunch by the Lakeside
Enjoy a delicious packed or lodge-prepared lunch while seated by the lakeside, with the tranquil waters and surrounding hills providing a perfect backdrop.
01:30 PM – Village and Cultural Visit
After lunch, visit a nearby community to learn about local traditions and daily life. Interact with fishermen, farmers, and artisans, gaining insight into Rwanda’s culture and hospitality. This experience gives a human connection to the natural beauty of the lakes.
03:00 PM – Nature Walk and Birdwatching
Take a gentle nature walk along the lake shores or hike a nearby viewpoint for panoramic photos. Birdwatching enthusiasts can spot a variety of species, as the Twin Lakes area is rich in avian diversity.
04:30 PM – Drive Back to Kigali or Musanze
Depart from the Twin Lakes and enjoy the scenic return journey, passing through Rwanda’s lush hills and vibrant countryside.
06:30 PM – Arrival in Kigali / Drop-Off
Arrive back at your hotel or Kigali International Airport, marking the end of your 1 Day Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo Tour.
End of 1 Day Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo.
Tour Inclusions of 1 Day Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo
- Pickup and drop-off in Kigali or Musanze
- Transport in a comfortable private vehicle
- Professional English-speaking guide
- Boat ride on the Twin Lakes
- Picnic lunch
- Bottled water
- Community visit fees
Tour Exclusions
- International flights
- Accommodation in Kigali or Musanze (unless requested)
- Tips and personal expenses
Starting from US $ 180 per person
Discounted prices per person as the number of people rises. Prices for children are fixed as $ 150 per child.
| No of People | Up To | Price per person |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | – | $ 450 |
| 2 | – | $ 250 |
| 3 | – | $ 200 |
| 4 | – | $ 180 |
| 5 | – | $ 150 |
| 6 | – | $ 120 |
| 7 | 15 | $ 100 |
Posted on Tripadvisor patty eVerified 100% recommended I was originally in Tanzania for a safari but decided to add the gorilla trek at the end of my trip because the flight was too long to fly to Africa from California again at my age. I booked through Viator. From the beginning, communication with Universal Adventures was positive. They were prompt to answer any questions. And a few days before the excursion, they sent me my driver's name and WhatsApp number. His name is Christian.We communicated through WhatsApp, and he was very prompt to reply back. He was early to pick me up at 4:30am. I had another person in the car. The car was clean. Its a long drive to the meeting place. We stopped for breakfast pastries at a local shop( they take credit cards and had a clean breakfast. We then drove to the meeting place where we met up with our group. There they had hot drinks like coffees, lattes, teas, etc. We then had to drive to the beginning of the mountain. It was a long drive as the roads are not paved. My group was assigned the Isimbi gorilla family and our guide was Jolie. My porter was Adolf. I was the least active one in the group but the crew never made me feel bad. After what I thought was a 4 hr hike (it was really 1 hr and 26 minutes) we found our gorilla family. We had plenty of time to take pictures with them. After we were done, Christian took us to a rooftop restaurant. The food was delicious! I recommend this excursion 100%. The company is awesome and very professional.Posted on Tripadvisor Juliet KVerified Gorilla Experience in Rwanda! Easy ride, the trip was one in a life time experience. The driver (Christian) was very nice and kind and made the trip smooth! Everything was great.Posted on Tripadvisor zoe457Verified Amazing experience seeing the gorillas of Rwanda! Amazing experience seeing the gorillas. Dodos picked me up in Kigali and was very helpful through the whole process. He even had cold drinks when I finished the gorilla trekking. Highly recommend!Posted on Tripadvisor Trevor BVerified Great way to see Kigali! Our guide Christian was knowledgeable and kind. He showed us all the highlights including the moving Genocide Memorial. His personal stories and insights into Rwandan society were invaluable. It was truly a pleasure to spend the day with him in Kigali.Posted on Tripadvisor Destination709424Verified Gorilla Trekking Me and my partner have always dreamed of doing gorilla trekking so when Christian helped this come to life it was surreal! As tourists we felt incredibly safe and welcomed with Christian he was super knowledgable and happy to share lots of description and reasoning with all our questions to help us learn and understand the culture. We also did a cultural village visit, Golden Monkey Trek, Diane Fossey Museum and women’s centre. All suggested and planned with Christian from Universal Ventures Rawanda. Any requests we had were never too much for Christian he was always happy to help. I would 110% recommend Christian to all my friends and family who I know want to come to Rawanda. Thankyou for making our dreams come true!Posted on Tripadvisor Geti LVerified 100% would recommend Amazing team and guide. I didn’t have to think about anything since they planned everything from airport pick up till drop off. Best value for buck but also great attitude and support. Got permission to visit the Pablo family thanks to our guide!Posted on Tripadvisor Yanis RVerified Thanks Kim for that wonderful day Kim was my guide for my experience with the gorillas. He made the day so comfortable. Everything was perfect! We also had many conversations about everything. I definitely recommend traveling with him!!Posted on Tripadvisor Aglaia OVerified Amazing Rwanda gorilla trek! Playful babies, calm silverback, great guides. Book permits well in advance. My gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda was absolutely incredible. We found the gorillas within about an hour of hiking, and seeing them up close was unforgettable. The baby gorillas were especially playful and entertaining to watch, constantly moving around and interacting with each other. In contrast, the silverback was calm, quiet, and completely self-focused — somehow both powerful and peaceful at the same time. The gorillas were not scary at all, and we never felt threatened during the experience. The guides were fantastic: experienced, knowledgeable, and very entertaining throughout the trek. One of our guides even shared stories about crossing paths with Dian Fossey, which made the experience feel even more special and connected to Rwanda’s conservation history. One important tip: make sure to secure your trekking permit well in advance, as spots are limited and can sell out quickly. A truly once-in-a-lifetime experience that I would highly recommend.Posted on Tripadvisor MARCELLE EVerified Gorilles Kigali Nous avons choisis la parcours long mais ca valait le coup. Nous en avons pris pleins les yeux les guides étaient top le trajet depuis Kigali pas trop long avec le chauffeur de l'agence , NEZA qui a vraiment été super du début à la fin . Il nous été d’une grande aide.le responsable de l’agence et était super et disponible il nous a aidé pour toutes les démarches.Posted on Tripadvisor Teresa BVerified The trek was perfect! We saw a beautiful family of gorillas including two Silverbacks! The best experience of my life! Seeing gorillas in their natural habitat was incredible! A truly serene experience. The tour was well planned and could not have been more perfect. The entire team guided with professionalism and love. My porter, Jacqueline, was wonderful and took great care of me. My personal guide/driver, Kim, was a delight! I learned much about Rwanda from him on the drive. I was surprised he greeted me with champagne toast! The day could not have been better.
